Rafael Nadal 'has been a warrior' and now 'has a different perspective' - Chris Evert exclusive

Eurosport expert Chris Evert has hailed fellow tennis icon Rafael Nadal as «a warrior» while discussing his challenge to get back up to speed for the French Open. The 36-year-old has withdrawn from Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to injury in a bid to ensure that his preparation for defending his crown at Roland-Garros will be smooth.

Ad Nadal struggled with a hip injury at the Australian Open, where he lost in straight sets to Mackenzie McDonald in the second round, so is attempting to manage his fitness very carefully in advance of the second Grand Slam of the season in Paris. ATP Indian WellsIndian Wells: Schedule, draw, seeds, prize money plus Djokovic and Nadal updates43 MINUTES AGO As Evert recognised, «the thing for Rafa looking ahead is really preserving his body» as he continues to vie with Djokovic in the all-time Grand Slam singles titles tallies with the pair currently level on 22 majors.

«I think motivation is big: to have that motivation year in and year out, to be the best you can be, win as many tournaments as you can, to have that motivation and not any dips in that, in your desire to compete,» Evert told Eurosport's Arnold Montgault. «18 years in the top 10! To have that motivation and to never wane in your desire and dedication to the sport, to be in the top 10 when there is so much depth, I think that just says a lot about what is happening in his head.

»It also reflects in his game because it is about consistency, being solid, not missing a ball, and being in every point. He is in every point and he has been in the top 10 every year.

That is just tunnel vision. «His injuries have not been too catastrophic, where he is out for a year, like a lot of these other players, but the thing for Rafa